Susan Agruso

This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.

Susan Agruso

Nonpartisan

Elections and appointments

Last election

August 23, 2022

Personal

Profession

Educator

Contact

Campaign website

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Susan Agruso ran for election to the School District of Manatee County school board to represent District 2 in Florida. She lost in the primary on August 23, 2022.

Agruso completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Susan Agruso's professional experience includes working as an educator.

Agruso has been affiliated with the following organizations:

• Kiwanis
• Dive Into Reading
• Neighborhood HOA’s Architectural Review Board
• Manatee Sail & Power Squadron, Executive Officer
• AARP Tax-Aide

Elections

2022

See also: Manatee County School District, Florida, elections (2022)

General election

General election for School District of Manatee County school board District 2

Cindy Spray defeated Harold E. Byrd Jr. in the general election for School District of Manatee County school board District 2 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Cindy Spray (Nonpartisan)	53.1	9,397
	Submit photo	Harold E. Byrd Jr. (Nonpartisan)	46.9	8,297

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 17,694
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for School District of Manatee County school board District 2

Cindy Spray and Harold E. Byrd Jr. defeated Susan Agruso in the primary for School District of Manatee County school board District 2 on August 23, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Cindy Spray (Nonpartisan)	38.9	3,770
✔	Submit photo	Harold E. Byrd Jr. (Nonpartisan)	35.6	3,448
		Susan Agruso (Nonpartisan)	25.6	2,479

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 9,697
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• David Levin (Nonpartisan)

Campaign themes

2022

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Susan Agruso completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Agruso's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I grew up in a working-class family. My father, a navy veteran of World War II, was a truck driver and my mother, a stay-at-home mom until most of her children were in school. They instilled in their children the importance of education and a strong work ethic. I had my first job at the age of 10, delivering the morning newspaper before school. I met Jim while in college, and we’ve been married for 49 years.

My forty-year career in public education began in a science classroom teaching high school physics and earth science. Eleven years later, I was selected as a state candidate for the Teacher in Space Program. Afterwards, I became a science specialist for the New York State Education Department. After earning my Ph.D. at the University at Albany, I served as the Assessment Director for the South Carolina Department of Education and then as an Assistant Superintendent in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools in Charlotte, North Carolina. We moved back to New York so I could accept a position as Superintendent of Schools. After retiring, we moved to Bradenton where I have served on the school district’s Audit Committee for more than six years.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• OUR STUDENTS DESERVE MORE! Every child attends a safe school that offers them opportunities to excel. Every student graduates from high school with the knowledge, skills and confidence they need for the jobs of the 21st century.
• FOLLOW THE MONEY! The School Board monitors how every dollar is spent so our teachers have the resources they need to do their jobs well, and the Board ensures that the Superintendent is accountable to do hers.
• WE HAVE A RIGHT TO KNOW! Our parents are treated with respect and know what their children are being taught. The Board welcomes comments from community members, answers their questions and listens to their concerns.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Our schools are failing too many students, especially those in District 2. Our School Board must set academic achievement, with special emphasis on reading proficiency, as a high priority. They need to communicate to the community the importance of literacy and coordinate a communitywide effort to enable our students to develop the early literacy skills they need before they start kindergarten. Health agencies and social services all have a role to play, along with our community partners who offer a variety of reading programs, afterschool activities, summer programs, and sports and clubs. Our schools must make reading, writing and speaking integral parts of the curriculum in all subjects at all grade levels. Our goal should be for every student to reach proficiency and then mastery.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Someone of high integrity, good moral character, honest. Some common sense would really help.

School Board races are nonpartisan, and I take this very seriously. A School Board member must be committed to doing what is in the best interests of students. When parents come to you with a problem, they must know that you are focused on their child and that your response will not be influenced by your personal politics or adherence to a political party agenda.

It is also important that a School Board member listens to all sides of an issue. I always try to find common ground whenever possible, and then I carefully consider those areas where there is not agreement. My decisions will always be thoughtful, explained, and in the best interests of children.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

The 40 years of public education experience I have is unique for School Board candidates. As a former Superintendent, I understand the roles of the Board and the Superintendent. I know how to support the Superintendent to do her job well and also what it means to hold her accountable for what happens in the school district. My understanding of school district budgets will enable me to ensure that every dollar is wisely spent, waste is eliminated, and our teachers have the resources they need in their classrooms. And I will work to get the salary supplements moved from the referendum to the regular budget, so they are not dependent on a public vote every few years. Throughout my career I have successfully worked across the political aisle to advocate for children. My understanding of how school districts should work will benefit other Board members because I know what questions to ask so we have accurate and complete information, and I can cut through the jargon, so information is clearly explained. Experience matters. Our students deserve no less.

In what areas would you like to expand curriculum? For example, do you see a need for advanced technical training or apprenticeships? What sort of innovative programming would you advance if given the opportunity?

Manatee County offers some very exciting programs to students, but we need more. Our advanced programs for college-bound students need to be expanded so that students across the district have access to them. We also need to build stronger vocational and technical programs. These programs should offer students opportunities to earn certifications for employment, and we should partner with local businesses to provide students with apprenticeships.

What principles drive your policies for safety in schools?

Our schools have made good progress in hardening our campuses to protect students and staff from outside threats. I will support plans to continue this work. As a superintendent I often walked a building with the principal to show our support for everyone continuing safe practices such as locking all doors.

We also need to address the bullying problems in our schools. Every student must feel safe and welcome. Our teachers must work with parents so that all our students know that they are expected to be respectful of other students. Teasing, bullying and physical contact are not permitted. All of the adults including Board members must model these behaviors of respect toward everyone.

The Code of Conduct must be enforced uniformly across all schools so that no student or group of students feel they are being singled out or treated unfairly. Staff needs to pay attention to students who are showing emotional or mental distress, talk with the parents about these concerns, and if necessary, refer them to the appropriate person so they can receive the help they need.

What will you do to build a relationship with parents in the district? What plans do you have to be inclusive of parental involvement?

Our parents should feel welcomed and respected in our schools. Their questions and concerns should be addressed in a timely manner, and the superintendent should have a clear and simple process for how parents can receive help from the district if the school is not responsive.

I will be responsive to every parent who wants to talk with me. I will explain how they should proceed to get the information they seek and will follow up to know they received it. If not, I will follow up with the Superintendent.

As a school board member, I will hold regular meetings with parents and community members around the district. Even though I will be elected from District 2, my responsibility is really across all schools, so parents from across the district will know they are invited and that I will be responsive to them.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

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School District of Manatee County school board District 2

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